Stephen Smith promises regular information on probe

Indian Minister for External Affairs S. M. Krishna looks at Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith during a press conference. The Foreign Ministers “do not want the issue of attacks to get in the way of ties”. File photo

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has assured India of “regular information” on the investigations into and prosecutions for the attacks on Indian students.

Mr. Smith conveyed this to External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna during their meeting in London earlier this week. In comments to the media, an official transcript of which was received by The Hindu on Friday, Mr. Smith said: “I apprised him of the formation of the High Level Working Group between the Commonwealth [of Australia] and Victoria to deal with these matters, and I undertook to keep him regularly provided with information on investigations and prosecutions as they come to hand.”

The two leaders “underlined [their] joint concern about [the] attacks on Indian students.” It was also agreed that “this was a difficult issue.” Mr. Smith said he and Mr. Krishna “did not want [this issue] to get in the way of the good and strong bilateral relationship.” Australia and India had taken their ties to “new levels in the last couple of years."